KAIA’S POV
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might crack my ribs from the inside. I stood a few steps away from the training ground, my feet rooted to the spot.
Leander was there, sparring with Elias. I watched as they moved, swiftly and smoothly, the sound of fists meeting forearms, boots shifting in the dirt. For a moment, it looked so normal, painfully, stubbornly normal. The morning sun lit his hair, and sweat clung to his skin, and for a second, I could almost pretend I hadn’t seen what I’d seen.
Almost.
Then the memory came again. Leander falling to his knees, blood pouring from his chest, his eyes meeting mine for one last, hopeless moment. My vision blurred with tears I tried to blink away.
Leander noticed me standing there. His lips curved into a small, soft smile
